Year: 2012

Remember Jon Butcher Axis? Ever thought you’d see Jon Butcher @ Rhumb Line? Tomorrow’s your chance.

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Gloucester legend Fly Amero has been hosting Wednesday’s at the Rhumb Line for some time now — and his guests range from more Gloucester legends to people you can’t see every day.  But tomorrow, he’s outdone himself by bringing Grammy-nominated 80s rock star, Jon Butcher as his guest.  Remember this MTV video from 1984?

Here’s what Fly has to say about tomorrow:

It is a thrill for me to present my good friend, Jon Butcher to
the local art community and to the music lovers of Cape Ann
at large.  This is a man who built a legacy for himself that
extends from its early roots in Boston to the far reaches of the
planet.  At last, after years away on the West Coast, he returns
to his adoring fans here in New England – all of whom clearly
remember his music and his legend.  This is Jon Butcher Axis.
And this is a one-in-a-million show you won’t want to miss!
~ Fly

From http://www.jonbutcher.com/

Grammy-nominated Jon Butcher is one of a select handful of
influential recording artists comprising the legendary Boston
music scene.  MTV vids and hit songs, “Life Takes A Life”,
“Wishes”, “Holy War”, “Goodbye Saving Grace”, “Miracles”,
“Send Me Somebody” comprise the underpinnings of a
recording/ touring career that continues today.  Two critically
acclaimed CD’s, “Positively The Blues” and “Electric Factory”
mark Jon’s enduring love affair with all things Americana –
blues, jazz, Dixieland, folk, swing, Cajun and more.

Announcing opening CALL for 2013 Gloucester MA HarborWalk Public Art Challenge budgets $47,000

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey, artists, big news! Gloucester Committee for the Arts is pleased to be announcing the opening CALL for the 2013 Gloucester MA HarborWalk Public Art Challenge

1101-Gloucester_HarborWalk-004

City of Gloucester, Massachusetts , USA,

2013 Gloucester MA HarborWalk – Public Art Challenge

$47,000

Open to artist/s and/or artist team(s) nationally.

Deadline: February 8, 2013

Open to all media; artists working in all creative art forms

Budget: $47,000

The Gloucester Committee for the Arts, on behalf of the City of Gloucester, MA, is seeking professional artist/s and/or artist team(s) for 3 new public art commissions. Artists are asked to submit proposals to design, create and complete new public art work in downtown Gloucester for our 2012 designed HarborWalk. The total project budget is $47,000 which will be distributed as follows:  $20,000 for one (1) permanent project; two (2) additional prizes will be awarded totaling $27,000, at least one of which must be temporary. The minimum project budget is $7500.   Note: this is a two-stage process requesting concepts and full proposal to select a short list of semi-finalists.  We are delighted to announce that the panel for selection of the 3 finalists will include, among others, these distinguished jurors:

Andrée Bober, Landmarks Director, The University of Texas , Austin , TX

http://landmarks.utexas.edu/

Trevor Smith, Curator of Contemporary Art, Peabody Essex Museum , Salem , MA http://www.pem.org/

Peter Sollogub/Chris Muskopf, Architects, Cambridge Seven Associates, MA. http://www.c7a.com/

Visit http://ghwalk.org to view/download the complete Call.

From there, artists wanting to apply will submit their entry in digital format through CaFE™ at www.callforentry.org Artists will create a profile page on the CaFE site and upload artwork images and input artwork details. There is no fee to apply, nor to create a profile on CaFE. Following successful set up, all interested applicants will be granted full access to our detailed application; simply click on “Apply to Calls” and click on “Gloucester HarborWalk Public Art Challenge”. Your account information and images will be saved for your convenience and easy access when applying to future calls using CaFE.

Ivy

Posted on by Matthew Green

 

Ivy on the walls of the Abbey of Solesmes, where I spent two days during my vacation in France.  The abbey is located about 2 1/2 hours southwest of Paris.

– Fr. Matthew Green

Oh Yeah Baby! It’s The Rocky Neck Plunge Pledge List Time

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This just in from Cathy McCarthy

Hey Joey,

The Annual Rocky Neck Plunge will be held on Jan. 1st….2013 at 11 am..

Once again, we will be hosting a food drive for The Open Door.. ‘

Items most needed::

Tuna, 100% juice, Soups, Peanut Butter, Pasta Sauce, Breakfast Cereal , Baking Items.

They requested no glass bottles. We collected over 600 lbs last year and would love to be able to hit that mark,plus more..

We will do our traditional poem by George Sibley at 11 am. and then the plunge…

Much Thanks Joey,

Cathy McCarthy

If you haven’t Plunged before let me tell you there is no better way to start the year.  Conquer some fears, step outside your “normal”, ring in the new year with friends and family and start the New Year off funky fresh on Rocky Neck.

ANYONE and I MEAN ANYONE that has done it in the past comes back to do it again because it is so uplifting and exhilarating.

Won’t you join US?!!!

Pics From Last Year Via Manny Simoes-

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2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Photos From Betty Pijut

2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Pics From Fellow Plunger Skip Montello

More Rocky Neck Plunge

2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Video From Sista Felicia

Happy New Year! Rocky Neck Plunge

Rocky Neck Plunge 2012

2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Photo From Tucker Destino

Rocky Neck Plunge Info From Cathy Mccarthy

Susan LaRosa 2012 Rocky Neck Plunge Pics

Videos-

http://vimeo.com/34534817

Will You Be Plunging?  Write in your pledge to plunge in the comment of this post

Joey C-In!

PSA- In This Day of Cell Phone Cameras Try To Think Horizontal

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Straight out of the Ed Collard School of Video-

No joke in the past week I’ve received video footage from no less than 5 people who have  held their cell phones or regular cameras vertically while they take video.

I guess it’s because people are used to taking cell phone pictures vertically but to upload  video to something that is  watchable you need to think about keeping your camera horizontal.

This one was ok in that it’s viewable (and I appreciate people sending stuff in believe me I’m just trying to get folks to know how to do it a bit better), but would have been a whole lot better horizontally so when uploaded to YouTube you would have a full frame of video instead of the black bars on the sides.

Sent in by Michael Oppelt –

Can’t believe my luck when walking my dogs down on Davis Neck in Gloucester MA, my boys discovered a dolpin/porpoise? swimming in shallow water at a nearby inlet. Here’s a video I took with my Android phone taken close to sunset over the Ipswich Bay.

 

Niece Amanda Interviews Ed A Couple Weeks Ag0.  this one is taken with a regular camera held vertically.  My guess is that Amanda is thinking like a cell phone while taking the video-

An unnamed source submits this video of the lobster trap tree lighting

The Bean Interviews Snoop Maddie Mad On The Way To Buy Presents

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Even 7 year old Beannie Weannie knows to keep the camera horizontally for video.

Community Stuff 12/11/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

14th. Annual Ladies Day at Pauline’s Gifts

Lad.Day 2012 email blast

Cindy Rich writes-

Hi Joey,

I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Rockport High School DECA group. Today they are hosting their 2nd Annual “Seashells and Jingle bells – Inn & House Tour” from 1 pm – 5 pm. Thank you for posting it in your Community section of your blog this week!

I’m hoping a post on your blog may help locate a beautiful banner, for the event, that has gone missing from the fence at the rotary at Fuller School. The DECA students worked hard all year putting this special event together and with their pooled savings from their student account, they were able to have this beautiful, expensive banner custom made, to be used year after year. I am attaching a picture of what the banner looks like. Also, it’s noted on the back of the banner – a name and number to contact for return.

In the spirit of this wonderful holiday season, I’m hoping that this reaches a kind hearted soul and the banner is returned to the DECA students in Rockport.

Thank you so much Joey! For all that you do! You are Cape Ann’s “E.F. Hutton”!!!

Cindy Rich

image

Men’s Night Is This Thursday Night In Downtown Gloucester MA!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I’ll be having the first official show of my canvas photos with buddy EJ at Alchemy from 5:30PM-7:30 so I hope to see y’all down there.  I’ll also have my “This is Gloucester DVDs available at the Alchemy show 10% of all of our Art and/or DVD sales will go to the Gloucester Education Fund. Thursday Night- Men’s Night

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alchemy exhibit two buddies

Read more about the Gloucester Education Fund here

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Kids Unlimited will be open and offering 20% off clothing.

As other local retailers send in their plans on hosting the men of Cape Ann for Men’s Night I’ll add them to this post.

Good Morning Joey,

The Cave will be serving Caveman Chili, cold beer, pate & rat cheese. We will offer up a discount on gift certificates as well. Thanks for including us.

Merry merry,

Laura

Mens’ Night @ Common Crow

Hi Joey
Men’s night is coming right up… Common Crow grocery & GreenLife are both offering everyone special deals from 5 to 8 this Thursday:
Greenlife:
20% off your WHOLE purchase plus
-Our chef’s best dips, local and artisanal cheeses and organic crudite to dilute the ‘high spirits’ offered elsewhere
Advice, ideas & gift wrapping from our helpful and expert team.
Common Crow grocery :
20% off your most expensive item, plus free dips& crudite & cookies!
Kate Noonan

Seaport Grille-

You are invited to "Men’s Night", Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 at Seaport Grille. There will be FREE Chowder from 4-7PM, Entertainment: Kevin Smith 7PM-10PM, 1/2 Price Appetizers, and A $100 and $50 Gift certificate will be drawn at 10:00PM. You must be present to Win!

Try our World Famous Lobster Roll with FF for $9.95

Palazola’s Sporting Goods

Hi Joey,

Palazola’s is running 20% off, crackers and cheese with wine. Also, sign up for a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate.

Thanks, Linda

The Weathervane

We’ll have 20% off the entire store (Cape Pond Ice excluded)!  Great selection of zip hoodies, our famous "sherpa" coat, and of course all the great Gloucester t-shirts for friends and family near and far.  Sale includes Christmas cards, ornaments, wrapping paper, giftware – you name it!  Ladies are WELCOME too, everyone gets the discount!  We do NOT discriminate – plus, it’s a good night to be on Main Street to flirt up the fella’s!
Thanks, Joe!
Joe C.

Mark Adrian Shoes

We are offering for men’s night a free $20 gift certificate when purchasing merchandise for $100 or more.

Harbor Goods/Life is good
Yummy snacks, Julie’s famous shrimp dip, cold beer, great customer service AND 20% off regular priced items.   

Junque & Disorderly, Antiques and Collectibles, 57 Washington Street, will be open for Men’s Night from 4:00 to 8:00. 20% Off throughout the shop. Enter to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate. Don’t forget to take a right at the end of Main Street!

Jewels of Gloucester Chimes In-

Hi Joey! Nice post for Men’s Night. If you are still adding to the post, I’d love it if you would add our info.
Jewels of Gloucester will be serving up wine, cheese and crackers up to 9pm, and giving a 20% discount off most of our jewelry and watches. It’s also a good time for the guys to sell their old scrap gold and silver. We are paying cash on the spot. Why not free up some cash to cover their holiday shopping. It’s a win-win.
Thanks,
Jim, John, and Kelly

ED

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bill O’Connor Writes-

Hi Joey,

I had the pleasure of interacting with Ed while he hung buoys on the lobster pot tree on Saturday.  He was all smiles in spite of the rain, and it was great to see how proud he was of the tree. It is quite a tribute to the community spirit of Gloucester!

Enjoy!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

Ed_Collard_Hangs_Buoy_Ornaments

Joey C edit:

You see that haggard old bastard right there in that picture?  Yeah, he’s the guy you want in your foxhole when the shit’s going down.  #BelieveThat!

Smiling when things are going right, smiling through the times when there’s no one around and we’re planning our next community event, smiling during the construction and long after the event’s when the crowds are gone and the cameras are put away and the stuff has to be deconstructed. You couldn’t ask for a better man as a friend I’m telling you.

Ed’s gonna be sworn is as the president of the Chamber of Commerce next month.  Should be a good year for the Chamber.

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- The Dress Code

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The fourth year of the GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Video Series where we walk up and down Main Street and try to capture as many retailers as we can and highlight their best gift ideas one a day every day leading up to Christmas.

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2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Main Street Art and Antiques

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- The Dress Code

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- The Weathervane

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Menage Gallery

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- House of The Raven

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Village Silversmith

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Toodeloos

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series Bananas

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Nelsons

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series Alexandras Bread Co

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series Lone Gull

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series Kids Unlimited

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Harbor Loop Gifts

2012 Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Pleasant Street Tea and Coffee Co

2012 GMG Holiday Party (David B. Cox Photos)

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

HAPPY HOLIDAY

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Click on Slide Show for More Photos:

My Book On SALE for ONLY 15.00!!! “Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Just in time for holiday gift-giving, my book, Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden, which I both wrote and illustrated, is on sale for only 15.00 on my publisher’s website. The price is unbeatable as the list cost is 35.00. Oh Garden! makes an ideal gift for the garden-maker and nature lover on your holiday list and at this price, I recommend you buy one for yourself and one for a friend!

Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities.jpgPraise for Oh Garden ~

Anyone who gardens along the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to South Carolina will appreciate Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! (David R. Godine, 2009, $35). This book is filled with design ideas and plants that work well in this coastal region, as author and garden designer Kim Smith relates her experiences with her garden in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The first part of the book, “Creating the Framework,” delves into trees, shrubs, and other elements for creating structure in the garden, while the second section addresses how to fill out the framework to create a harmonious living tapestry in your garden. —Viveka Neveln, The American Gardener

Oh Garden! is a 250 page hardcover book crammed full of the most excellent gardening advice you will find anywhere, guiding you through the four seasons, and woven throughout with over 85 illustrations, and fabulous plant lists. All this coming week I will be posting expert gardening advice on GMG and on my blog, with more praises from The Boston Globe and other literary reviewers.

P&V’s LOL #4: The harder you resist change, the more you need it

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Direct Porportionality
y is directly proportional to x (y ∝ x)

Given that we’re now in our 4th week, those of you who follow GMG probably know about our Monday series Peter & Vickie’s Laws of Life (LOL, for short).  Click here, if you missed any of the first 3.  In our LOL #2, we introduced the concept of inverse proportions.  Today’s concept of direct proportions is much simpler and today’s law could be stated thus, The vigor with which you fight against change is directly proportional to your need for change.

It won’t take you long to think of plenty of examples of this LOL, the most obvious being addiction, but I thought I’d start with a personal one.  Back in 1998, when Vickie and I founded Van Ness Group, we built complex, data-driven websites and Web applications for public companies and big financial institutions.  We were experts in a niche and that was that.  People told us to diversify.  We resisted.  Local businesses asked us to build websites for them.  We refused.  Clients wanted us to help with marketing.  Forget about it!   We had spent 10 years becoming experts in employee stock benefit plans and 15 years in database technology.  We were determined to stick with it — and we did!  That is, until the niche vanished suddenly in 2001 right before our very eyes like a cheap magic trick.  YIKES.

Mayor Kirk alluded to this LOL in her Mayor’s Desk column with this gem, “Expansion of the commercial tax base is the antidote to rising taxes for homeowners which most people claim to want relief on but at the same time is fought every step of the way.”

Back to addiction.  You’ve probably seen or heard of addicts resisting, with all their vigor, the one thing that is their only hope — to quit.  But this applies to lots of things, not just drugs.  Before the Civil War, the South was addicted to slavery — they believed their economy depended on it.  But in the long run, the best thing for their economy was the abolition of slavery.

Now the one addiction I’ll just accept is music.  I’ll never try and quit.  Especially while I live in the middle of the hottest independent music scene north of NYC.  Just look at all the music this week — and it’s off season!

Here’s one of my favorite videos from MTV’s heyday about another addiction:

It’s a Destination

Posted on by God's Morning

The Rocky Neck Winter Show is not just another art show – it’s a destination. The Center has been transformed into as lovely a retail space as anyone could wish to visit, and the openings are not to be missed. These photos are from Sunday’s High Tea. If you missed it, don’t miss Happy Hour from 3:00-5:00 on Saturday, December 15. The Center is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
E.J. Lefavour

Wednesdays with Fly Amero ~ Special guest Jon Butcher

Posted on by Joanne
rl
Surf & Turf Specials!
Wednesdays Only!Hello everyone!
Wednesday, December 12th
Special Guest: JON BUTCHER!
jon butcher fly
It is a thrill for me to present my good friend, Jon Butcher to
the local art community and to the music lovers of Cape Ann
at large.  This is a man who built a legacy for himself that
extends from its early roots in Boston to the far reaches of the
planet.  At last, after years away on the West Coast, he returns
to his adoring fans here in New England – all of whom clearly
remember his music and his legend.  This is Jon Butcher Axis.
And this is a one-in-a-million show you won’t want to miss!
~ FlyFrom http://www.jonbutcher.com/
Grammy-nominated Jon Butcher is one of a select handful of
influential recording artists comprising the legendary Boston
music scene.  MTV vids and hit songs, “Life Takes A Life”,
“Wishes”, “Holy War”, “Goodbye Saving Grace”, “Miracles”,
“Send Me Somebody” comprise the underpinnings of a
recording/ touring career that continues today.  Two critically
acclaimed CD’s, “Positively The Blues” and “Electric Factory”
mark Jon’s enduring love affair with all things Americana –
blues, jazz, Dixieland, folk, swing, Cajun and more.
Dinner with Fly Amero: 8 – 11pm
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Surf & Turf Dinner –  $11.95 (while they last)
Tenderloin Tips with Grilled Garlic Shrimp!
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Upcoming…
Dec. 19: Christmas Songs with
J.B. Amero, Allen Estes & Friends
 
Coming soon…
Marina Evans

Looking forward…
…to seeing you there!  🙂 ~ Fly

I’ll be in France on 12/21/2012

Posted on by capeannpainter
Save yourselves. Book your flight to France now
Save yourselves. Book your flight to France now

 

By , Los Angeles, Malcolm Moore in Beijing and Tom Parfitt in Moscow

6:42PM GMT 07 Dec 2012

Ahead of December 21, which marks the conclusion of the 5,125-year “Long Count” Mayan calendar, panic buying of candles and essentials has been reported in China and Russia, along with an explosion in sales of survival shelters in America. In France believers were preparing to converge on a mountain where they believe aliens will rescue them.

The precise manner of Armageddon remains vague, ranging from a catastrophic celestial collision between Earth and the mythical planet Nibiru, also known as Planet X, a disastrous crash with a comet, or the annihilation of civilisation by a giant solar storm.

In America Ron Hubbard, a manufacturer of hi-tech underground survival shelters, has seen his business explode.

“We’ve gone from one a month to one a day,” he said. “I don’t have an opinion on the Mayan calendar but, when astrophysicists come to me, buy my shelters and tell me to be prepared for solar flares, radiation, EMPs (electromagnetic pulses) … I’m going underground on the 19th and coming out on the 23rd. It’s just in case anybody’s right.”

In the French Pyrenees the mayor of Bugarach, population 179, has attempted to prevent pandemonium by banning UFO watchers and light aircraft from the flat topped mount Pic de Bugarach. According to New Age lore it is an “alien garage” where extraterrestrials are waiting to abandon Earth, taking a lucky few humans with them.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY

Chorus North Shore’s Christmas Concert

Posted on by Matthew Green

On Saturday night, I went to Chorus North Shore’s Christmas concert at Our Lady of Hope in Ipswich (almost Cape Ann), which featured Vivaldi’s Gloria, “Christmas is Coming: a festive cantata”, and other songs of the season.

Chorus North Shore (which includes many Cape Ann residents) performed together with the Honors Youth Choir and the Festival Orchestra.

Gloucester resident Don Roby, besides singing in the choir, had a reading part and headed up The Boar’s Head carol (pun intended):

Either the boar’s head is hollow (or made of styrofoam), or maybe Don has been hitting the gym. He held that huge boar’s head aloft until the whole verse was over.

Alexander Thompson (of Ma’s Brands fame, who has an amazing voice, but does not sing in this choir) was in attendance with pencil and paper – not taking notes, but drawing:

The concert was great! Kudos to all the performers, the director, the technicians, etc.!

– Fr. Matthew Green